New Becker Patrol Pack?

1066vik said:
I got an update from cousin bongo this morning. Website should be live next week. Packs are in, will be available in black, green, and orange. Prices will be painful but not absurd - comparable to a Gregory paragon 58, osprey levity 45, or Arc'teryx aerios 45 and less than a hpg umlindi v2.
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Group buy!
 
I got a few emails from Bongo Gear talking about the pack. DIdn't get a chance to read it all yet, getting ready to go to work. They are still waiting for their website to go up.
 
These look pretty sweet, but could someone comment on the differences between these and say a typical internal frame pack? I read the site blurb, but I can never tell what’s useful and what’s a “feature”.

I haven’t ever shopped for packs before; all the outdoor packs I have were inherited or purchased for me in my youth. These are pretty cool and piqued my interest.
 
Compared to a typical hiking type pack, here's what you will find in say a typical Osprey / Gregory in the 40ish liter capacity at the similar price point:
- It will be lighter, usually about 3lbs (vs 5lb10oz for the new BPP)
- But the fabric will be lighter (210 denier), less durable. Durable enough for trails, but not so much if you treat your gear roughly or drag it around. The BPP says 600 denier which is pretty good
- More streamlined, less big pockets/compartmentalisation. The new BPP is pockets galore for organizing if that's your thing.
- Modern packs are usually very comfortable for their load ratings with adjustable harness for length of back, which puts the weight on your hips. The new BPP is one size fits all, just by straps, which is typical for rugged military type packs under 50L.

What is right for you will depend on what lights up your buttons. If you value durability and pockets and don't mind the weight, I think this new BPP is great value.
If you want to cut weight, and look after your gear, a good Osprey or Gregory will be more comfortable to carry.
If you want both... I've never seen it, tends to fall one either lighter civilian hiking or heavier military style.
 
EngrSorenson said:
These look pretty sweet, but could someone comment on the differences between these and say a typical internal frame pack? I read the site blurb, but I can never tell what’s useful and what’s a “feature”.

I haven’t ever shopped for packs before; all the outdoor packs I have were inherited or purchased for me in my youth. These are pretty cool and piqued my interest.
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It's got a plastic frame sheet with a single aluminum stay in the center of it.
Packs were tested with loads around 48 pounds and were reportedly as comfortable with one stay as 2, so they opted to save the weight and additional cost.

In my old BPP - which didn't come with a frame sheet, i used a chunk of sleeping mat to do a similar job.

This is not going to be an ultralight pack - it's more like a cross between an alice pack and a more modern 3-day "assault pack"

Eta: main pocket volume is around 27.5L, pocket volume is abou 15 more for a 42 L total volume
 
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Daniel L said:
If you want both... I've never seen it, tends to fall one either lighter civilian hiking or heavier military style.
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Interesting- great summary, and I appreciate it. I tend to pack in fewer and fewer single small items every time I hike in to camp, so perhaps this one isn't the right fit for me. Might be one of those, "I like the idea of it" wants rather than a need.
 
1066vik said:
It's got a plastic frame sheet with a single aluminum stay in the center of it.
Packs were tested with loads around 48 pounds and were reportedly as comfortable with one stay as 2, so they opted to save the weight and additional cost.

In my old BPP - which didn't come with a frame sheet, i used a chunk of sleeping mat to do a similar job.

This is not going to be an ultralight pack - it's more like a cross between an alice pack and a more modern 3-day "assault pack"
Click to expand...

To summarize, this pack will likely outlast you, and probably your kids, with some repairs down the road.

The replaceable shoulder straps is a nice touch.
 
Daniel L said:
Compared to a typical hiking type pack, here's what you will find in say a typical Osprey / Gregory in the 40ish liter capacity at the similar price point:
- It will be lighter, usually about 3lbs (vs 5lb10oz for the new BPP)
- But the fabric will be lighter (210 denier), less durable. Durable enough for trails, but not so much if you treat your gear roughly or drag it around. The BPP says 600 denier which is pretty good
- More streamlined, less big pockets/compartmentalisation. The new BPP is pockets galore for organizing if that's your thing.
- Modern packs are usually very comfortable for their load ratings with adjustable harness for length of back, which puts the weight on your hips. The new BPP is one size fits all, just by straps, which is typical for rugged military type packs under 50L.

What is right for you will depend on what lights up your buttons. If you value durability and pockets and don't mind the weight, I think this new BPP is great value.
If you want to cut weight, and look after your gear, a good Osprey or Gregory will be more comfortable to carry.
If you want both... I've never seen it, tends to fall one either lighter civilian hiking or heavier military style.
Click to expand...
It has a removable waist belt, just like my old one did. And you can upgrade the straps if you want.
 
EngrSorenson said:
Interesting- great summary, and I appreciate it. I tend to pack in fewer and fewer single small items every time I hike in to camp, so perhaps this one isn't the right fit for me. Might be one of those, "I like the idea of it" wants rather than a need.
Click to expand...

I can say, if you decide to get into winter camping, packs like the BPP can be really nice. I like the organization as I'm often carrying a lot more options for clothing and to stay warm and want ready access to more things. Also, weight usually matters a little less because I can pull it in a pulk or the low temps make itnso I don't sweat as much. The pack weight also seems a little less significant as everything ways a little more at that point too.

I will counter Daniel L Daniel L on the dichotomy viewpoint as there is a broad spectrum of weights and durability for backpacks. A 3lb modern pack isn't really that lightweight anymore with numerous packs available at under 2 lbs. One of my lightweight packs is around 22 ounces with carbon stays for a frame (zpacks arc blast 55L).

Then there are packs like the karrimorsf sabre which has 600 denier ripstop polyester, so similar to the BPP, and weighs just over 3lbs for the 35L and 4lbs for the 45L. Not lightweight but tough and still almost 1.5 lbs lighter than the BPP for the same volume (42L BPP, 45L Karrimor).

On the more modern side, I'm a fan of deuter packs which tend to last really well for me but are on the heavier side for modern packs.
 
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